Survey finds fears over virus threat easing
Fewer Americans are now concerned that a family member could contract COVID-19 compared with a month ago, according to a Monmouth University poll. Forty-two percent of adults polled said they were “very concerned” that someone in their family could become seriously ill, and 28% said they were “somewhat concerned.” Those numbers were down from 50% and 33%, respectively, in April. “Concern about COVID seems to have returned to where it was in the early days of the public response to the pandemic,” said pollster Patrick Murray. The U.S. had 1.3 million infections and nearly 80,000 deaths as of Monday.
WHO warns against `blind driving'
The World Health Organization warned that nations should not reopen their economies without setting up strong contact tracing to combat possible surges in cases. U.S. health officials are monitoring for any resurgence two weeks after states began gradually reopening, and efforts to assemble contact-tracing teams are underway. WHO emergencies chief Michael Ryan said strong contact tracing measures in Germany and South Korea provide hope for those countries. But the same is not true of other, unspecified nations. “Shutting your eyes and trying to drive through this blind is about as silly an equation as I’ve seen,” Ryan said. “And I’m really concerned that certain countries are setting themselves up for some seriously blind driving over the next few months.”
European nations begin reopening
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson “actively encouraged” people who can’t work from home to go to their jobs while shops and elementary schools across Germany and France reopened Monday. In the Netherlands, libraries are also opening, and hairdressers, nail technicians, beauticians, massage therapists and occupational therapists are back at work. Spain is keeping schools closed but is allowing churches and mosques to reopen at less than capacity.
Parts of NY `coming out the other side'
Parts of western and Upstate New York will allow a range of businesses, from construction and manufacturing to tennis courts and drive-in theaters, to reopen by week’s end, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday. New York City was among areas not yet ready to reopen, he said. “It’s been a crisis and painful one, but we are coming out the other side,” Cuomo said. “This is the next big step in this historic journey.” Meanwhile, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced a plan to test all kids with symptoms of a rare inflammatory condition for coronavirus and its antibodies. Thirty-eight city children are suffering from the symptoms and one has died, he said. Statewide, three young people have died and more than 80 have or are suffering from fever, rash, abdominal pain and vomiting linked to a form of Kawasaki Disease, authorities say.
More US states lift business restrictions
The start of the new week will bring significant steps toward normalcy across the U.S. Alabama, Arizona and South Carolina will permit dine-in service with occupancy restrictions at restaurants. New Hampshire will allow salons, barbershops and retail stores to open for business, and Arkansas will allow dental offices to reopen. Minnesota will allow dentists, doctors and veterinarians to resume elective surgeries.